cooling-off period

noun

1. a period arranged by agreement to allow for negotiation and an abatement of tension between disputing parties:

   The law calls for a cooling-off period before a strike can begin.

cooling-off period

noun

1. a period during which the contending sides to a dispute reconsider their options before taking further action
2. a statutory period, often 14 days, that begins when a sale contract or life-assurance policy is received by a member of the public, during which the contract or policy can be cancelled without loss

Word History and Origins

Origin of cooling-off period¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Related Words

• lag
• moratorium
• postponement
• problem
• setback
• stoppage
• suspension
• wait